European automotive industry draws up car-charging standards

26 September 2011

Posted by Samuel Couratin

New standards relating to charging electric vehicles have been drawn up by the European automotive industry.

Under the plans published by the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA), a single type of plug would be employed across the region, regardless of the make of vehicle, energy provider or the nation in which it is being used.

According to the industry body, the proposed standards could also enhance the rollout of electric cars worldwide if adopted internationally.

The recommendations are intended to improve the current situation for drivers and harmonize charging infrastructure and a target date of 2017 has been proposed for all new vehicles produced in Europe to comply.

"We call on the European Commission, the standardization bodies and the infrastructure providers to adopt these recommendations and to clear remaining issues as soon as possible," declared ACEA Secretary General, Ivan Hodac.

The organization claimed that standardizing the system for electrically charging vehicles is one of the issues that present an obstacle to such models gaining a viable share of the market and attracting investment, with a fragmented range of solutions currently in place.

Covering the whole of the link between the vehicle inlet and the public charging infrastructure, the suggested standards examine communication between the two and both direct and alternate current.

The ACEA has issued a call to the European Union (EU) to provide greater incentives to the electric and low-carbon vehicle market in order to facilitate a move towards sustainable mobility.

It has highlighted the need for a "clear roadmap with all stakeholders involved", in addition to research and development support and backing for manufacturing of cars and components in the region in order to ensure the EU remains globally competitive.

An estimate for market share for new, electrically-chargeable vehicles has been published that indicates they will account for between three and ten per cent by 2020 to 2025, depending on issues such as international policy.